Call us sangomas

South African traditional medicine comes under the microscope.

Sunday April 27, 2014

After decades in the shadows, South Africa’s traditional healers or ‘sangomas’ are now big business, with millions of people regularly using a network of pharmacies and practitioners with enough public recognition to hand out sick notes. – AFP

AFTER decades in the shadows, South Africa’s traditional “sangoma” healers are modernising and becoming big business, raising questions about the need for strict regulation.

“Granny” Mahlasela Matcheke runs her practice from a squeaky clean white floor-tiled home in Johannesburg’s up-and-coming Soweto township.

Her consultation room is ringed by orderly shelves of transparent jars containing a kaleidoscopic collection of coloured powders and roots. Each is carefully labelled and ready to be prescribed to patients who undergo a physical examination that accompanies divination involving bones, sea shells, dice and coins.

The scene is far from the common perception of dishevelled and old-fashioned sangomas waving sticks around and operating from dingy huts in rural backwaters.

While that image still rings true in some cases, a new generation of urban practitioners are presenting a much more modern spin on the traditional practice.

Social science graduate Nokulinda Mkhize, 28, has been practising for five years and consults her clients face-to-face or via Skype.

Her @noksangoma Twitter feed has nearly 7,000 followers and her slickly-designed website features an online store, a brief autobiography and some newspaper columns she has written.

Embracing technology for consultation is “a logical, natural step” making her “more accessible” to patients needing her services, she said.

It “allows me the freedom and flexibility to express my gifts in ways that are less restricted, and more true to who I am, as a young woman,” she said, adding the decision to become a sangoma was a “calling, my destiny”.

Stamp of approval

Sangomas have played a key role in South Africa for decades, and are consulted not only on illnesses, but also for communication with the dead.

New practitioners must go through long initiations, learning the uses of herbs and other items before they are considered ready to start a practice.

But they still lack the sort of formal qualifications and regulation that have increasingly become necessary for practitioners of Chinese alternative medicine, aromatherapy and the like.

Data about how many South Africans actually visit traditional healers is hard to come by, but it is clear millions of South Africans regularly consult the tens of thousands of practitioners operating across the country.

A Durban-based economist, Myles Mander, led a study four years ago that estimated the trade in traditional medicine to be worth nearly three billion rand (RM900mil) each year.

“There’s big demand for the medicine and it’s not going away,” said Mander. “Almost in every town, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of market players.”

For many, it is a cheap and trusted alternative to expensive Western medicines.

Gradually, sangomas have gained official recognition for the role they play in South African society.

The country’s top court last year ruled that sick notes handed out by sangomas are valid and should be accepted by employers.

Previously, workers would consult traditional healers, but pass through medical doctors’ rooms “to buy” a sick-note.

Today, some traditional healers are receiving training in basic paediatric oncology and in managing the treatment of tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.

And a network of “pharmacies” retail neatly packaged herbs, some of which are also found in some conventional chemists in Johannesburg shopping malls.

Difficult to divine

But favourable court rulings notwithstanding, the sector is almost unregulated, leading to uncertainty about the efficacy of medicines and fears of abuse by quacks and charlatans.

Many less scrupulous “healers” claim to have powers to increase wealth.

In major towns and cities, adverts for penis enlargement and vagina-tightening spells are legion.

Instances of traditional medicine crossing the line into witchcraft, and even, human sacrifice, are not unheard of.

“Traditional medicine can be dangerous. A lot of those medicines have very powerful toxins,” warned Mander. “They provide a lot of good, but people also die.”

Traditional healers are angry that medical boards are not ready to give African medicine the same standing as Chinese, Ayurvedic, aromatherapy or a panoply of other complementary treatments, which have begun the process of certification.

“It’s an insult, a disgrace that we have a medicine control council that has not been able to register African traditional medicine, but it accepts Chinese medicine,” said Rui de Carvalho, who ditched a cushy IT job to become a traditional healer.

But the lack of regulation has much to do with cost. A lack of funding to carry out hugely expensive clinical trials means traditional herbs are not certified by the country’s medicines control agency.

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi sees many grey areas, and has said, “it’s clear that’s an area in South Africa that we need to control”.

While a younger generation may demand more scientific rigour, many see the current debate as beside the point.

Robina Dlamina has used traditional medicine for close to 20 years. “It works faster and better” than Western medicine, she said. – AFP Relaxnews

http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Health/2014/04/27/Call-us-sangomas/

'Cherry tree from space' mystery baffles Japan

A cherry tree grown from a seed that orbited the Earth for eight months bloomed years earlier than expected

By Shigemi Sato

April 11, 2014 4:50 AM

Tokyo (AFP) - A cosmic mystery is uniting monks and scientists in Japan after a cherry tree grown from a seed that orbited the Earth for eight months bloomed years earlier than expected -- and with very surprising flowers.

The four-year-old sapling -- grown from a cherry stone that spent time aboard the International Space Station (ISS) -- burst into blossom on April 1, possibly a full six years ahead of Mother Nature's normal schedule.

Its early blooming baffled Buddhist brothers at the ancient temple in central Japan where the tree is growing.

"We are amazed to see how fast it has grown," Masahiro Kajita, chief priest at the Ganjoji temple in Gifu, told AFP by telephone.

"A stone from the original tree had never sprouted before. We are very happy because it will succeed the old tree, which is said to be 1,250 years old."

The wonder pip was among 265 harvested from the celebrated "Chujo-hime-seigan-zakura" tree, selected as part of a project to gather seeds from different kinds of cherry trees at 14 locations across Japan.

The stones were sent to the ISS in November 2008 and came back to Earth in July the following year with Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata, after circling the globe 4,100 times.

View gallery

FILE - This Nov. 7, 2013 file photo shows Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata, a crew member of the Int …

Some were sent for laboratory tests, but most were ferried back to their places of origin, and a selection were planted at nurseries near the Ganjoji temple.

By April this year, the "space cherry tree" had grown to around four metres (13 feet) tall, and suddenly produced nine flowers -- each with just five petals, compared with about 30 on flowers of the parent tree.

It normally takes about 10 years for a cherry tree of the similar variety to bear its first buds.

The Ganjoji temple sapling is not the only early-flowering space cherry tree.

Of the 14 locations in which the pits were replanted, blossoms have been spotted at four places.

Two years ago, a young tree bore 11 flowers in Hokuto, a mountain region 115 kilometres (70 miles) west of Tokyo, around two years after it was planted.

View gallery

Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata holds a pack of cherry seeds in the International Space Station, Ap …

It was of a variety that normally only comes into flower at the age of eight.

Cosmic rays

The seeds were sent to the ISS as part of "an educational and cultural project to let children gather the stones and learn how they grow into trees and live on after returning from space," said Miho Tomioka, a spokeswoman for the project's organiser, Japan Manned Space Systems (JAMSS).

"We had expected the (Ganjoji) tree to blossom about 10 years after planting, when the children come of age," she added.

Kaori Tomita-Yokotani, a researcher at the University of Tsukuba who took part in the project, told AFP she was stumped by the extra-terrestrial mystery.

"We still cannot rule out the possibility that it has been somewhat influenced by its exposure to the space environment," she said.

Tomita-Yokotani, a plant physiologist, said it was difficult to explain why the temple tree has grown so fast because there was no control group to compare its growth with that of other trees.

She said cross-pollination with another species could not be ruled out, but a lack of data was hampering an explanation.

"Of course, there is the possibility that exposure to stronger cosmic rays accelerated the process of sprouting and overall growth," she said.

"From a scientific point of view, we can only say we don't know why."

Wakata is back aboard the ISS, where he is in command of the station.

The astronaut took part in a video link-up on Thursday with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy, chatting about his daily life hundreds of kilometres above the Earth.

http://news.yahoo.com/cherry-tree-space-mystery-baffles-japan-085044593.html

Understanding the signs of heart disease

HEART diseases are a major cause of death today. This week, we look at some of the symptomatic signs of heart diseases.

10 March 2014

Steve Yap

HEART diseases are a major cause of death today. This week, we look at some of the symptomatic signs of heart diseases.

► Inflammation

Chronic low-grade inflammation damages the arterial wall leading to lesions, which then ­attract oxidised and/or glycated cholesterol and dietary fats to help form plaques.

The presence of arterial plaques is a sign of heart disease.

Damaged cholesterol molecules and dietary fats are treated by our immune system as ­antibodies, hence, promoting ­inflammation. Any inflammatory condition can promote ­hypertension and slow wound healing as well.

The blood marker hs-CRP and IL-6 are widely used to measure cardiovascular ­inflammation and even mortality.

Inflammatory foods abound such as farmed animal, livestock, fish, and excessive use of omega-6 vegetable cooking oils.

A high-inflammatory diet carries higher risk of arterial plaque rupture. And recently-formed plaques are much more likely to rupture than stable calcified ones, which will increase the risk of fatal heart attack.

Chronic inflammation easily destabilises soft arterial plaques, especially in the presence of uncontrolled hypertension.

Vascular inflammation may be lowered by nutrients such as DHA/EPA (both being omega-3 fatty acids), trans-resveratrol, ­quercetin, soy genistein, tea polyphenols, curcumin, gingerol, grape seed ­extract (OPC), vitamins A, C and, D, magnesium citrate, as well as Malaysian ­cocoa, dark ­chocolate, and rosemary.

Genistein strengthens ­arterial wall which helps explain why soy (rather than animal) protein lowers risk of heart attack.

Regular exercises also lower overall ­inflammation.

► Hypertension

High blood pressure is one of the top risk factors for developing cardiovascular ­disease.

Dr Mark C. Houston, in What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Heart Disease, stresses that hypertension isn’t a disease but rather a marker for ­vascular (blood vessels) and ­endothelial (artery wall) dysfunction ­promoted by our environment interacting with our genes.

This means that if you’ve a genetic ­predisposition to high blood pressure but don’t have the bad environment, lifestyle and/or dietary habits stimuli to ­trigger hypertension, you don’t ­generally develop this silent killer.

Vascular ageing may be ­evidenced by ­progressive ­arterial stiffness or hardening, loss of arterial ­elasticity, and pulse­ ­pressure.

Salt, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and caffeinated drinks have been implicated in causing ­arterial stiffness, whereas soy protein isolate, omega-3 fish oil, dark green leafy vegetables, and garlic can reduce artery hardening.

Widely-used nutrient L-arginine for ­complementary treatment of hypertension is generally effective since it raises nitric oxide, which dilates arteries.

DHA, NAC (N-acetyl cysteine), gamma tocopherol (vitamin E) and resveratrol also can lower blood pressure besides reducing ­oxidation of ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol.

► Diabetes

Endothelial dysfunction, which precedes hypertension, can cause insulin ­resistance which then promotes ­diabetes.

Refined sugars including ­sorbitol, mannitol, erythritol, ­tagatose, and steviol-glycosides can cause insulin spikes, stimulate the ageing gene, TOR, and suppress the longevity gene, SIRT.

Additionally, a diet high in refined starches can raise levels of homocysteine and toxic free radicals.

Diabetic people, on the whole, produce lower levels of endothelial progenitor cells for arterial repair and renewal.

Nutritional therapist reduces the negative effects of diabetes by designing a protocol containing nutraceutical such as alpha lipoic acid, trans-resveratrol, charantin, cinnamon, hydroxycitric acid, EPA/DHA, calorie ­restriction, adequate sleep, as well as by raising the ­patient’s metabolism through regular exercise and lifestyle modifications.

Poor dietary and/or lifestyle habits can adversely affect immune vascular function, which will lead to vascular heart disease.

► Autoimmunity

Any form of autoimmune disorders (immune system gone haywire) – such as rheumatoid ­arthritis, lupus, eczema, psoriasis, and asthma – promotes inflammatory diseases including atherosclerosis.

This is also true with chronic infections such as those inflicted by common H. Pylori and viruses.

► Oxidative stress

High blood sugar or triglyceride levels induce oxidative stress. Only oxidised cholesterol and/or fats are known to form part of the vulnerable arterial plaques.

Tea polyphenols, resveratrol, and ­monounsaturated fatty acids can reduce ­oxidation of ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol. Resveratrol can be found in cocoa and peanut.

Systemic (whole body) oxidative stress can even affect our brain cells triggering ­inflammatory ­response and ­hypertension.

For men and ­menopausal women, ­elevated blood ferritin (iron store) from the consumption of excess red meat, organ meat and eel also enhances oxidation.

► Mental conditions

Unresolved anger or anxiety disorder can ­severely damage heart health. For heart ­patients, it significantly raises their risk of a second heart attack.

Sleeping very late and for less than six hours a night elevates physical and mental stress while doubling the risk of developing diabetes type 2.

► Mitochondria

Unhealthy cellular mitochondria strongly promote oxidative stress.

L-carnitine is needed to transport long-chain fatty acids to the mitochondria, which are energy-generating components of our heart cell inherited only from our mother.

Co-enzyme Q10 can energise the heart muscles while lowering systolic blood ­pressure.

Calorie restriction can ­improve ­mitochondrial ­function and activate their biogenesis ­(regeneration).

► Telomere

Shorter telomeres in our cell chromosomes have been linked to increased coronary artery calcification, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, arterial stiffness, and even higher ­mortality rate.

Its length is determined partly by ­nutritional status and levels of physical activity.

A high vegetable diet, regular exercises, stress reduction, and intake of omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, vitamins C and E are known to increase enzyme telomerase activity in preventing early telomere shortening.

http://www.thesundaily.my/news/980370

Long life, good health

Here are some tips for living longer and healthier like the centenarians of today

21 April 2014

Steve Yap

THE life expectancy in Malaysia is about 75 years. But it’s possible to go beyond that as seen by the number of people who have reached the century milestone.

And the reason for their longevity? Based on published studies, centenarians have low mental impairment and possess more lean body mass. They eat lightly and get around seven hours of sleep per night.

They have few or no serious chronic health disorders, and are mostly raised in large families. They consume very little processed food or foods that are deep-fried, barbecued, grilled, or microwaved.

They work on one task at a time and rarely impose strict deadlines on themselves nor do they compete with others for wealth and fame. They have a strong sense of humour and laugh easily.

As Hippocrates, the father of western medicine, said around 450BC, “it’s the wise man who knows that health is his greatest assets”.

With rapid advances in anti-ageing and regenerative medicine, the “super olds” are projected to be the fastest growing age group in the coming decades.

Here’s how to be counted among that number:

► PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Regular exercise or physical activities prevent or slow down the development of osteoporosis.

For urban folk eating at fast-food chains, aerobic exercise improves insulin resistance and lowers risk of developing the accelerated-ageing diseases such as diabetes.

The good news is that moderate physical activity (about 15 minutes daily) has been shown to be as anti-ageing as vigorous activities.

► CALORIE RESTRICTION

Our rate of ageing is strongly linked to our dietary habits. The more calories we consume, the faster we tend to age. High blood sugar depresses immune system besides generating excessive free radicals which age us.

We need to consume less dietary calories than the body is accustomed to getting. For such a diet to be healthy, it should be nutrient-dense (CRON diet).

Foods with little or no nutrients such as refined starch and sugary beverages/snacks are replaced with foods of lower but highly-nutritious calories.

Calorie restriction (CR) activates our longevity gene SIR2. It naturally lowers both systemic inflammation and body fat, which is strongly linked to heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension.

Diabetic people who strictly follow the CR diet can see some reversal of conditions since it lowers blood sugar and insulin needs. Even arterial plaque has been shown to be 40% lower in a CR followers compared to the those eating standard diets.

The nutrient trans-resveratrol found in cocoa, peanuts, organic dark grape skin, and some herbal tea can mimic the effects of CR.

► OXIDATION

Each day, the cells in our body are being attacked by at least 10,000 age-accelerating free radicals, which can come from our diet, toxic environment, mental stress, radiation, heavy metals, drugs, and toxins already in our bodies.

Various types of free radicals are neutralised in our bodies by different nutrients collectively called antioxidants. To maintain health at the cellular level, the need to consume a wide variety of nutrient-dense foods is evident.

► GLYCATION

Our body converts all carbohydrates to sugar before it can be used. Whereas our brains are powered by glucose, our hearts prefer energy derived from fats.

Glycation happens when sugar molecules attach themselves to proteins causing them to change structures that lead to their tissue/organ malfunctions.

Glycation-linked ageing disorders include diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cataract formation, and wrinkles.

Nutrients that fight glycation include L-carnosine, alpha lipoic acid, magnesium, and d-ribose.

► EMOTIONAL & SOCIAL TIES

People who enjoy higher levels of social ties have longer life spans and lower rates of serious illness than those who have lower levels of support.

Women with fewer social networks suffer a mortality rate nearly double those with wider social ties. Even worse, men with low social ties die at two or three times the rate of men with strong social connections.

► HOSTILE ATTITUDE

Anger is provoked by the way(s) in which a person views his/her environment.

Even for healthy adults, anger doubles the risk of a cardiac event. For those already having heart disease, anger can lead to a shocking 700% increase in cardiac events such as heart attack and angina.

Numerous studies have confirmed hostility as a predictor of heart disease and the cause of early death. No amount of longevity diet can overcome the detrimental health effects of constantly displaying unwarranted hostility towards others.

► SOCIAL-ECONOMIC POSITION

On average, people with higher educational achievements, income, and job position tend to live longer. The health implications of these are independent of all other risk factors for accelerated ageing.

For those suffering from chronic health disorders such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and cancer, their social-economic position may be a predictor of their survival rates.

http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1023292

Advancements in diabetes treatment and what it means for patients

Advancements in diabetes treatment have given rise to a drug that acts to prevent the reabsorption of glucose in the kidneys, resulting in glucose passing through the urine.

Thursday April 17, 2014

BY DR ZANARIAH HUSSEIN

Keeping complications at bay: Long term blood sugar control is very important to delay the onset and reduce the severity of type 2 diabetes complications and macrovascular risk. — AFP

Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. They are major risk factors for a number of chronic diseases, including diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, among others.

About 65% of the world’s population live in countries where overweight and obesity kill more people than underweight issues.

According to the Malaysian Health and Morbidity Survey 2011, 33.3% of the total population in the country are pre-obese while 27.2% are obese.

The recently released Oxfam international report titled Good Enough To Eat Indexrevealed that Malaysia has been ranked the fattest country in South-East Asia and sixth in the Asia Pacific region.

Overweight and obesity are mainly caused by an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended.

Other causes of excess body weight include an increase in physical inactivity due to the increasingly sedentary nature of many forms of work, changing modes of transportation and increasing urbanisation.

Weight, type 2 diabetes and SGLT2

Type 2 diabetes makes up 90% of the total diabetes population around the world, and is largely the result of excess body weight and physical inactivity.

Weight can influence diabetes and vice versa. It is harder for diabetic patients to control blood sugar levels if they gain more weight.

In prehistoric times, it is believed, the human body developed a system for maximising energy conservation and storage due to a lack of consistent food supplies. This system included reducing the activity of our neurological endocrine system to slow metabolism, conserving the stored energy in our bodies, as well as a method to increase reabsorption of excess glucose that was removed by the kidneys.

Today, most of us have an adequate or most likely over-abundant supply of glucose from food consumed. Consequently, the system that was once necessary for survival now contributes to increased weight and diabetes risk.

Long term blood sugar control is very important to delay the onset and reduce the severity of type 2 diabetes complications and macrovascular risk.

 A protein called sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) regulates the reabsorption of 90% of glucose in the kidneys. It prevents the loss of glucose by transporting glucose from the kidneys back into the body’s circulation.

Advancements in diabetes treatment have given rise to a SGLT2 inhibitor that acts to prevent the reabsorption of glucose in the kidneys, resulting in glucose passing through the urine.

As it increases the renal glucose excretion, type 2 diabetes patients may experience a decline in blood glucose levels.

The amount of glucose that is excreted in the urine daily may also result in weight loss of up to a few kilograms a month. For diabetes patients, losing a moderate amount of weight can dramatically slow the progression of the disease.

Studies have shown that approximately 50 to 100 grams of glucose is excreted in the urine daily. Therefore, going on the principle of roughly four calories to one gram of glucose, between 200 and 400 calories are excreted on a daily basis.

Hence, some patients may experience weight loss, and this can be advantageous for those who are overweight or obese.

In the long run, the amount of calories being excreted in the urine is equivalent to about two to three kilograms of weight loss over six months.

Diabetes cannot presently be cured, but it can be controlled and patients can lead a full and active life.

Weight management still remains an important component of type 2 diabetes management, but reaching and maintaining a healthy weight can be a challenge.

However, a new class of diabetes treatment with a novel mechanism of action that works independently of insulin has many benefits for type 2 diabetics, especially in facilitating weight loss.

Speak to your doctor to find out more about how to manage diabetes effectively.

http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Health/2014/04/17/Advancements-in-diabetes-treatment-and-what-it-means-for-patients/

Keeping things in check: How to manage eczema

With proper care and management, people living with eczema can lead normal and fulfilling lives.

Sunday April 20, 2014

BY DR SABEERA BEGUM KADER IBRAHIM

While eczema (dermatitis) can be a difficult disease, it is a manageable one.

With proper treatment and care, people with eczema can lead fulfilling lives and participate fully in school, work and family activities.

Eczema is an inflammation of the skin that flares up from time to time.

Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema, and usually strikes before the age of five.

In eczema, moisture is easily lost from the skin, causing it to dry out and flake.

Symptoms include red to brownish-gray patches, itching, tiny raised bumps and vesicles that may leak fluid and crust over, and thickened or scaly skin.

Proper skin care and management of inflammation can usually ease the symptoms and keep the situation under control.

Moisturise!

For people with mild eczema, keeping their skin soft and moisturised by frequent and generous use of emollients may be all that is needed to improve and manage symptoms.

Emollients are non-cosmetic moisturisers that come in the form of creams, ointments and lotions. They keep skin moist and help prevent cracks, making it more comfortable and less itchy.

The type of emollient used depends on the condition of your eczema, the body part involved, and any sensitivities to the emollient.

Creams contain a mixture of water in fat, and have a light and cool effect on the skin. Due to this, many people with eczema prefer creams for daytime usage.

However, they may contain preservatives and might cause sensitivity, although such occurrences are rare.

Ointments do not contain preservatives, but they can be very greasy and may be cosmetically unappealing to some.

However, they are very effective at retaining moisture in the skin, and are useful for very dry and thickened skin.

Lotions contain more water and less fat than creams, but evaporate quickly and are not the most effective means to keep skin moisturised. However, they are easy to apply, especially over hairy regions of the body.

Regular use of emollients may be all that you need in keeping mild eczema symptoms in check. However, people with more severe eczema may require medications to help control their flare-ups.

Medications for eczema control

Prescription corticosteroid creams or ointments can ease inflammation and relieve itching.

Some low-potency corticosteroid creams are available over-the-counter, but always consult your doctor before using any topical corticosteroid.

They are very effective and safe if used correctly. Despite this, many people are concerned about potential side effects from topical steroids.

The trick is to use the correct strength of steroid for the severity of the eczema, and be prepared to change treatment as the severity of the eczema changes.

Topical steroids are usually discontinued when the symptoms disappear and resumed when new patches arise.

The side effects of long-term use include skin irritation or discoloration, thinning of the skin, infections and stretch marks.

You may require antibiotics if you have added-on bacterial skin infection. The signs of bacterial infection include weeping, crusting, pustules or painful swelling.

Often, only a short course of antibiotics is needed, although rarely, hospital admission is necessary for intravenous treatment.

Oral antihistamines may help with severe itching. However, some antihistamines can make you sleepy.

If your skin cracks open, your doctor may prescribe mildly astringent wet dressings to prevent infection.

For more severe cases, oral corticosteroids, such as prednisone, may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and manage symptoms.

These medications are effective, but often used in the short term only. They cannot be continued for more than a few weeks at a time without significant side effects.

Managing lifesyle factors

Flares-up may be associated with lifestyle factors such as stress, physical activity, contact allergy and temperature changes.

Stress management is vital in controlling eczema. Often, it involves making time for rest and relaxation, and managing your reaction if the situation is unavoidable. Getting adequate sleep is also important.

Patients should try to avoid known allergens such as dust mites, pollen, animal dander and clothing materials like wool and synthetics.

Food allergies affect a third of children with eczema, and can cause flare-ups, especially in children less than two years old. Common foods that cause flare-ups include milk, eggs, wheat, soy and peanut products.

People also flare up when they experience a sudden change in temperature. So, try to anticipate weather changes, especially when travelling abroad, and arm yourself with effective treatments.

Lastly, try to avoid hot baths, and don’t scratch if you are itchy.

A few ways to control itchy eczema include rubbing, applying emollient or a bag of ice to the affected areas and gently pinching the skin around the eczema to divert the itch sensation.

It may also help to keep your fingernails short to prevent injuries from scratching.

Seek advice from your doctor if you have any doubts.

http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Health/2014/04/20/Keeping-eczema-in-check/